Utility outlet fixture with slack take-up

ABSTRACT

A utility outlet fixture, which provides utility access at any position within a predetermined range of positions, is characterized by means for removing slack in elongated flexible utility conduits which are connected at opposite ends respectively to a fixed receptacle and to a carriage movable along a track.

United States Patent Beeler et al.

1151 3,653,401 1451 Apr. 4, 1972 [541 UTILITY OUTLET FIXTURE WITH2,935,080 /1960 Klimek ,15 7/344 SLACK TAKEUP 3,085,135 4/1963 Brandin..191/12 3,511,263 5/1970 Emke ..l37/355.l7 [72] flm fi; gz fg gg 'h 52,896,659 7/1959 Erickson ..137/355.23 x

[73] Assignee: Chemetron Corporation, Chicago, 111. PrimaryExaminer-Henry T. Klinksiek [22] Filed: Oct 24 1969 Attorney-Nicholas M.Esser [21] Appl. No.: 869,301 [57] ABSTRACT I A utility outlet fixture,which provides utility access at any position within a predeterminedrange of positions, is charac 58] i g 19;? 339/9 {74/40 2 terized bymeans for removing slack in elongated flexible utilil74/45 1377344 17 tyconduits which are connected at opposite ends respectively to a fixedreceptacle and to a carriage movable along a track. [56] ReferencesCited 15 Claims, 7 Drawing Figures UNITED STATES PATENTS r r 2,201,9545/1940 Flygare ..l9l/l2 T n I 1 1 I 5 l H Y-: 'T i r 6 sni -5 11 5 .15.

n 190 19,5 I 14a 1130 142 49,? 194 10 i 20 20 20---i "20 i i "20 1 24L.{:ljfl l 24 g41 l::: 4

4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented April 4, 1972 Patented A ril '4, 1972 13,653,401

4 Sheats-Sheot 4 1 UTILITY OUTLET FIXTURE WITH SLACK TAKE-UP BACKGROUNDOF THE INVENTION This invention pertains generally to utility outletfixtures of the type used in supplying vacuum, oxygen, air, nitrogen,nitrous oxide, and other piped utilities, and electrical utilities whereapplicable, to operating rooms and other medical and surgicalfacilities, and more particularly to improved overhead utility outletfixtures providing access to utilities at remote points of use within anenlarged room space yet substantially eliminating any need to haveutility hoses trailing about the floor.

Presently, many operating rooms and other medical and surgicalfacilities have utility outlet fixtures in the form of wall-mountedoutlet stations to which elongated flexible conduits in the form ofhoses for piped utilities may be'connected as by means ofquick-disconnect devices. The hoses are needed to bring the utilities toremote points of use within the room. Thus, in such an operating room,for example, it is not uncommon to find a clutter of utility hosestrailing about the floor.

However, in some more recently built or more recently remodeled medicaland surgical facilities, wall-mounted outlet stations have beendisplaced in favor of overhead utility outlet fixtures. from whichsuitably connected hoses are suspended. In some overhead utility outletfixtures, the hoses are wound on reel mechanisms permitting extension ofthe hoses to remote points of use within the room and retraction of thehoses for storage at a raised level. Such reel mechanisms arecomplicated and accommodate only one hose apiece. In other overheadutility outlet fixtures, the suspended hoses are fixed, and extensionhoses are needed to bring the utilities to remote points of use withinthe room. With overhead utility outlet fixtures of the latter type, inorder to provide access to utilities at remote points of use within theroom, it is necessary either to have several fixtures or to useextension hoses of sufficient length to reach various portions of theroom.

This invention is addressed to the problem of providing an overheadutility outlet fixture providing access to utilities within an enlargedroom space while eliminating problems such as utility hoses trailingabout the floor.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is -a general object of this invention toprovide an improved utility outlet fixture useful in supplying vacuum,oxygen, air, anesthetic gases, and other piped utilities, and electricalutilities where applicable, to operating rooms and other medical andsurgical facilities.

It is a more particular object of this invention to provide a utilityoutlet fixture improved over known utility outlet fixtures in that itprovides utility access at points of use anywhere within an enlargedroom space and eliminates a utility hose trailing about the floor.

The preceding objects may be attained in an overhead utility outletfixture comprising, in combination, a carriage, from which a pluralityof elongated flexible conduits may be suspended, an elongated overheadtrack, along which the carriage is movable, a plurality of elongatedflexible utility conduits which are connected at opposite ends to fixedinlets and to the carriage, and means for removing slack in the conduitsat any position of the carriage 'along the track. The slack removingmeans holds the carriage at any position along the track. The track maybe extended to any practicable length, for example, ten or more feet, tospan an enlarged work area. Thus, utility access is provided within anenlarged room space.

These and other objects, features, and advantages of this invention areevident from the following description, with the aid of the attacheddrawings illustrating a preferred embodiment of this invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is an elevational view, partly broken away and in section,showing a typical installation of a utility outlet fixture embodying theprinciples of this invention;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the fixture of FIG. 1 with the top plateremoved,

FIG. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view, partly broken away, takensubstantially along line 33 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 Ba cross-sectional view, taken substantially along line 44 ofFIG. 3, omitting background portions for clarity;

FIG. 5 is a detail section view taken substantially along line 55 ofFIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is a horizontal sectional view showing a modified form of slackremoving means for the fixture of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 7 is a view, similar to FIG. 1, showing a simplified utility outletfixture also embodying the principles of this invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT In FIG. 1, an overhead utilityoutlet fixture 10, which constitutes a preferred embodiment of thisinvention, is shown in a typical installation in a room having a ceilingl2 and a dropped ceiling 14. The room represents an operating room orother medical or surgical facility. Piping for utilities, such asvacuum, oxygen, air, nitrogen, and nitrous oxide, is concealed betweenthe true ceiling l2 and the dropped ceiling 14. As shown an uppermounting plate 16 of the fixture 10 is held firmly against the undersideof the dropped ceiling 14 as by means of tie rods (not shown) anchoredin the true ceiling 12. Alternatively, the fixture 10 may be recessedbetween the dropped ceiling 14 and the true ceiling 12. The fixture 10has a plurality of elongated flexible utility conduits 20, six in numberas shown, which are suspended to reach to a level approximately from 6to 7 feet above the floor of the room. Thus, the conduits 20 remain outof the way yet may be reached easily by persons working beneath thefixture 10. Within the fixture l0, suitable connections are made betweenthe concealed piping and the conduits 20, each conduit 20 being suppliedwith a particular utility from the concealed piping. Of course, the sameutility may be supplied to more than one of the conduits 20. Inaccordance with the principles of this invention, the conduits 20 may bemoved, as a group, to any position along an elongated path, preferably10 or more feet along, in order to provide utility access within agreatly enlarged room area. The range of movement of the group ofconduits 20 is suggested in phantom lines in FIG. 1.

The upper end 22 of each conduit 20 is supported in a manner to bedescribed hereinafter. Each conduit 20 carries a conventional valvedfitting 24, which is adapted for connection to a conventional connectorfitting (not shown) on an infeed conduit of apparatus (not shown)utilizing the utility to be supplied. Preferably each fitting is indexedfora particular utility. Such fittings are conventional in utilitypiping systems and are outside the scope of this invention.

The upper ends 22 of the conduits 20 are supported from a wheeledcarriage 30. The carriage 30 is supported by an elongated track 32 (FIG.3) for movement along the track 32. A pair of utility inlet receptacles34 are mounted fixedly to the plate 16 intermediate the ends of thetrack 32 and in spaced relation to the track 32.

The carriage 30 comprises a generally oblong manifold block 36, throughwhich a plurality of internal passages 38 are drilled, a bracket 40,which is bolted or otherwise mounted rigidly to the manifold block 36,and opposite pairs of carriage wheels 42, which are joumalled to thebracket 40. Lead-in portions of the drilled passages 38 are closed bymeans of suitable plugs 44. Preferably, the wheels 42 have O-ring tiresand anti-static bearings made of conductive nylon or other suitablematerial. Each passage 38 is used to supply a utility to one of theconduits 20. Conventional DISS (Diameter-Index- Safety-System) couplings46 are used to connect the conduits 20 to the passages 38. A maleportion of each DISS coupling 46 has a threaded stem and is mounted in asuitably threaded socket in the manifold block 36. A female portion ofeach DISS coupling 46 is suitably carried on the upper end 22 of one ofthe conduits 20. The respective DISS couplings 46 are alignedlongitudinally and extend beneath the manifold block 36. Such DISScouplings and similar DISS couplings used elsewhere in the fixture areof types conventionally used in utility piping systems for operatingrooms and other medical and surgical facilities and are outside thescope of this invention.

The track 32 comprises a pair of elongated parallel track rails, 50 and52 respectively, mounted fixedly to the plate 16 by means of a pluralityof longitudinally spaced brackets 54. The track rails 50 and 52 aregenerally channelled in crosssection to support the opposed pairs ofwheels 42 of the carriage 30 for movement of the carriage 30 along thetrack 32. Each bracket 54 is fabricated from a strip to a box-likeconfiguration with a lower slot 56 providing clearance for the conduits20.

The inlet receptacles 34 specifically comprise first and secondlongitudinally spaced receptacle boxes, 60 and 62 respectively, mountedfixedly to the plate 16. Suitable openings (not shown) are providedabove the respective receptacles 60 and 62, both in the dropped ceiling14 and in the plate 16, for access to the concealed piping. Tubing 64(FIG. 2) extending into the first receptacle 60 is used to connect theconcealed piping to conventional DISS couplings 66. Male portions of theDISS couplings 66 extend downwardly from the first receptacle box 60.Female portions of the DISS couplings 66 are carried on the shorter legs70 of generally L- shaped tubular stems 72. The longer legs 74 of thestems 72 are parallel and are pointed generally toward the secondreceptacle box 62. Tubing 76 (FIG. 2) extending into the secondreceptacle box 62 is usedto connect the concealed piping to similar DISScouplings 78. Male portions of the DISS couplings 78 extend downwardlyfrom the second receptacle box 62. Female portions of the DISS couplings78 are carried on the shorter legs 82 of similar generally L-shapedstems 84. The longer legs 86 of the stems 84 are parallel and arepointed generally toward the first receptacle box 60.

A first group of elongated flexible conduits 90, three in number asshown, are connected at opposite ends respectively to the firstreceptacle 60 and to the carriage 30. A second group of elongatedflexible conduits 92, similar to the conduits 90 and also three innumber as shown, are connected at opposite ends respectively to thesecond receptacle 62 and to the carriage 30. The upper end 94 of eachconduit 90 is suitably connected to the longer leg 74 of one of thestems 72, as by means of barbs (not shown) on the leg 74, and accidentaldisassociation thereof is prevented by means of a conventionalferrule-type coupling 96. The lower end 98 of each conduit 90 isconnected to one of the passages 38 in the manifold block 36 by means ofa conventional DISS coupling 100. A male portion of each DISS coupling100 has a threaded stem and is mounted in a suitably threaded socket 102at a first end 104 of the manifold block 36. A female portion of eachDISS coupling 100 is carried on the lower end 98 of each conduit 90. Theupper end 106 of each conduit 92 is suitably connected to the longer leg86 of one of the stems 84, as by means of barbs (not shown) on the leg74, and accidental disassociation thereof is prevented by means of asimilar ferrule-type coupling 108. The lower end 110 of each conduit 92is connected to one of the passages 38 in the manifold block 36 by meansof a similar DISS coupling 112. A male portion of each DISS coupling 112has a threaded stem and is mounted in a suitably threaded socket 114 ata second end 116 of the manifold block 36. A female portion of each DISScoupling 112 is carried on the lower end 110 of each conduit 92. Theconduits 90 and 92 are crossed intermediate the ends of the track 32, asshown, and are sufiiciently long to permit movement of the carriage 30over substantially the entire length of the track 32. Thus, at anyposition of the carriage 30 along the track 32, slack ordinarily wouldoccur in the conduits 90 and 92. However, such slack is taken up in amanner next to be described.

Means are provided for removing slack in the conduits 90 and 92 at anyposition of the carriage 30 along the track 32. This means, which isindicated generally at 130, generally comprises means 132 for engagingslack in the conduits 90 and 92 and means 134 for biasing the slackengaging means 132 and the carriage 30 apart along the track 32.

The slack engaging means 132 comprises a first gang of pulleys 140, eachof which engages slack in one of the conduits 90, in combination with afirst wheeled pulley truck 142, which guides the first gang of pulleys140 for movement along the track 32 between the carriage 30 and a firstend 144 of the track 32. The slack engaging means 132 further comprisesa second gang of pulleys 146 each of which engages slack in one of theconduits 92, in combination with a second wheeled pulley truck 148,which guides the second gang of pulleys 146 for movement along the track32 between the carriage 30 and a second end 150 of the track 32. Eachgang of pulleys 140 or 146 may be fabricated as a single part 154 havingplural grooves 156 and is joumalled to a shaft 158. Each pulley truck142 or 148 comprises a generally U-shaped bracket 160, which supportsthe shaft 158 in transverse relation to the track 32, as shown, andopposed pairs of wheels 162, which are joumalled to the bracket 160.Preferably, O-ring tires for the wheels 162 and bearings for the pulleys140 and 146 are made of conductive nylon or other suitable material. Abracket, which is suitably attached to the bracket of the second pulleytruck 148, provides a horizontal platform 164 extended toward the secondend 150 of the track 32.

The biasing means 134 comprises an elongated flexible wire 170, which isattached at a first end to the first gang of pulleys 140 and at a secondend to the second gang of pulleys 146, and means for tensioning the wireto bias the first gang of pulleys 140 toward the first end 144 of thetrack 32 and the second gang of pulleys 146 toward the second end 150 ofthe track 32. The wire 170 passes over a first pulley or guide 178adjacent the first end 144 of the track 32 and over a second pulley orguide 180 adjacent the second end 150 of the track 32 and is generallytaut therebetween. As shown, the wire tensioning means is in the form ofa conventional negator-spring cartridge 182 having an external take-upreel 184 for the wire 170 and applying a predetermined amount of tensionto the wire 170. A simple helical spring may be substituted for thenegator-spring cartridge 182 if desired. The negator-spring cartridge182 is suitably mounted on the platform 164 of the first gang of pulleys140. The first end of the wire 170 is attached to the take-up reel 184.The second end of the wire 170 is attached to the bracket 160 of thesecond wheeled truck 148. Thus, the biasing means 134 biases the firstgang of pulleys 140 toward the first end 144 of the track 32 and biasesthe second gang of pulleys 146 toward the second end 150 of the track32. Likewise, the biasing means 134 retains the carriage 30 in anyposition along the track 32. Such negatorspring cartridge is of a wellknown type and is outside the scope of this invention.

A housing substantially encloses the parts of the fixture 10 other thanthe suspended conduits 20. The housing 190 comprises a pair of sidepanels 192 and a pair of end covers 194. The side panels 192 aresuitably attached at upper flanged portions 196 to the plate 16 andextend at lower flanged portions 200 beneath and generally against thebrackets 54. The lower flanged portions 200 are spaced to define a slot202 generally coinciding with the slots 56 in the brackets 54 andproviding clearance for the conduits 20. Preferably, the edges of theslot 202 are finished to remove sharp edges that would tend to cut theconduits 20. The end covers 194 are flanged to permit attachment to theside panels 192 as by means of self-threading screws. At least one ofthe side panels 192 may be hinged longitudinally, as at 206, for accessto the enclosed parts upon removal of the end covers 194.

In FIG. 6, a modified form of biasing means is shown for use in thefixture 10 in place of the biasing means 134 of FIGS. 1 through 5. Thebiasing means comprises an elongated rod 292, which clears the carriage30 to permit movement of the carriage 30 relative thereto, and means forresiliently connecting the rod 292 between inwardly facing end brackets294 and 296 on the respective pulley trucks 142 and 148. A first endportion of the rod 292 passes through a suitable opening 298 in the endbracket 294 and is retained by snap rings 300a and 300b seated insuitable grooves (not shown) in the first end portion of the rod 292.The snap rings 300a and 30017 are positioned to rigidly hold the rod292. A second end portion of the rod 292 passes through a suitableopening 302 in the end bracket 296 and is retained by snap rings 304aand 304b spaced apart to permit limited movement of the rod 292 relativeto the end bracket 296. A coiled spring 306, which is piloted over therod 292 between the inner snap ring 304b and the end bracket 296, biasesthe pulley trucks 142 and 148 apart along the track 32 (FIG. 3 etc.

In FIG. 7, in which primed reference numerals are used to .indicateparts similar to like-numbered parts in FIGS. 1

through 5, a simplified overhead utility outlet fixture is shown in atypical installation on a dropped ceiling 14. Except as noted, thefixture 10 is similar in construction and operation to the fixture 10.

Since only two suspended conduits are provided, only two conduits 92'are provided between the fixed receptacle 60 and the movable carriageThe slack engaging means 132 comprises a single gang of pulleys 146,each of which engages slack in one of the conduits 92', and a singlewheeled pulley truck 148' which guides the gang of pulleys 146 formovement along the track (not shown).

As shown, a biasing force is applied to the second end of carriage 30 bymeans of a first wire 210, which is attached at a first end to a fixedbracket 212 adjacent the first end of the track and at a second end tomeans 214 for tensioning the wire 210 to bias the carriage 30' towardthe first end of the track, and a biasing force is applied to the gangof pulleys 146 by means of a second wire 216, which is attached at afirst end to the pulley truck 148' supporting the first gang of pulleys146' and at a second end to means 218 for tensioning the wire 216 tobias the gang of pulleys 146 toward the second end of the track 32. Asshown, the wire tensioning means,214 is in the form of a conventionalnegator-spring mechanism 220, which is suitably mounted on the carriage30, and the wire tensioning means 218 is in the form of a similarnegator-spring mechanism 222, which is suitably mounted on a fixedbracket 224 adjacent the second end of the track. Such negator-springmechanisms are of a well known type and are outside the scope of thisinvention.

In order to compensate for the force-dividing effect of the gang ofpulleys 146, the biasing force on the gang of pulleys 146 should beapproximately twice that on the carriage 30, and the wire tensioningmeans 214 and 218 should be selected accordingly. For example, thenegator-spring cartridge 220 may be selected to apply a 3-poundtensioning force on the carriage 30' whereupon the negator-springmechanism 222 should be selected to apply a 6-pound tensioning force onthe gang of pulleys 146'. Alternatively, two or more wires, eachtensioned by means of a separate negator-spring cartridge, may beconnected in parallel to the gang of pulleys 146', such negator-springcartridges being selected to apply the gang of pulleys 146' through theparallel wires cumulative tension equal to the tension which thenegator-spring cartridge 220 applies to the carriage 30' through thewire 210. In either instance, negator-spring cartridges are preferredover simple springs by reason of the fact that the tension applied by anegator-spring cartridge remains essentially constant no matter how muchwire has been taken up by the take-up reel of the negator-springcartridge.

Thus, it may be seen that the objects of this invention may be attainedin overhead utility outlet fixtures that are simple in construction andefficient in operation.

l-lereinbefore and in the claims which follow, the term wire is intendedto encompass tapes and other elongated flexible elements capable ofpassing over a pulley or the like.

We claim:

l. A utility outlet fixture comprising an elongated track adapted to befixedly supported, a utility inlet adapted to be supported in spacedrelation to said track and adapted to be connected to at least oneutility source, a carriage supported by said track for movement inopposite directions, conduit means connected at opposite endsrespectively to said utility inlet and to said carriage, and means forremoving slack in said conduit means at any position of said carriagerelative to said track, said means for removing'slack comprising meansmovable along said track for engaging slack in said conduit means andbiasing means connected to said means for engaging slack biasing saidmeans for engaging slack and said carriage apart along said track.

2. The fixture of claim 1 wherein said means for engaging slackcomprises a pulley engaging slack in said conduit means and meanssupported by said track for guiding said pulley for movement along saidtrack.

3. The fixture of claim 1 wherein said conduit means comprises pluralelongated flexible conduits connected at opposite ends respectively tosaid inlet and to said carriage.

4. The fixture of claim 3 wherein said means for engaging slackcomprises a gang of pulleys, each pulley engaging slack in one of saidconduits, and means supported by said track for guiding said gang ofpulleys for movement along said track between said carriage and an endof said track.

5. The fixture of claim 4 wherein said biasing means biases said gang ofpulleys and said carriage toward opposite ends of said track.

6. A utility outlet fixture comprising: an elongated track adapted to befixedly supported; a utility inlet adapted to be supported in spacedrelation to said track and adapted to be connected to at least oneutility source; a carriage supported by said track for movement inopposite directions; conduit means comprising plural elongated flexibleconduits connected at opposite ends respectively to said utility inletand to said carriage; and means for removing slack in said conduit meansat any position of said carriage relative to said track; said means forremoving slack comprising a first pulley engaging slack in a first ofsaid conduits, means supported by said track for guiding said firstpulley for movement along said track between said carriage and one endof said track, a second pulley engaging slack in a second of saidconduits, means supported by said track for guiding said second pulleyfor movement along said track between said carriage and another end ofsaid track, and biasing means connecting said pulleys for biasing saidpulleys apart along said track.

7. The fixture of claim 6 wherein said biasing means biases said firstpulley toward the first end of said track and said second pulley towardthe second end of said track.

8. The fixture of claim 7 wherein said biasing means comprises a wireconnected at a first end to said first pulley and at a second end tosaid second pulley, means supported adjacent the opposite ends of saidtrack for guiding said wire intermediate its ends, and means connectedbetween one end of said wire and one of said first and second pulleysfor tensioning said wire.

9. The fixture of claim 7 wherein said biasing means comprises anelongated rod, means for connecting one end of said rod to one of saidfirst and second pulleys, and means for resiliently connecting the otherend of said rod to the other of said first and second pulleys.

10. A utility outlet fixture comprising: an elongated track adapted tobe fixedly supported; a utility inlet adapted to be supported in spacedrelation to said track and adapted to be connected to at least oneutility source; a carriage supported by said track for movement inopposite directions; conduit means comprising plural elongated flexibleconduits connected at opposite ends respectively to said utility inletand to said carriage; and means for removing slack in said conduit meansat any position of said carriage relative to said track; said means forremoving slack comprising a first gang of pulleys, each pulley engagingslack in one of said conduits, means supported by said track for guidingsaid first gang of pulleys for movement along said track between saidcarriage and one end of said track, a second gang of pulleys, eachpulley engaging slack in one of said conduits, means supported by saidtrack for guiding said second gang of pulleys for movement along saidtrack between said carriage and another end of said track, and biasingmeans connecting said gangs of pulleys for biasing said gangs of pulleysapart along said track.

11. The fixture of claim 10 wherein said biasing means biases said firstgang of pulleys toward the first end of the track and said second gangof pulleys toward the second end of said track.

12. The fixture of claim 10 wherein said biasing means comprises a wireconnected at a first end to said first gang of pulleys and at a secondend to said second gang of pulleys, means supported adjacent theopposite ends of said track for guiding said wire intermediate its ends,and means connected between one end of said wire and one of said firstand second gangs of pulleys for tensioning said wire.

13. The fixture of claim 10 wherein said biasing means comprises anelongated rod, means for connecting one end of said rod to one of saidfirst and second gangs of pulleys, and means for resiliently connectingthe other end of said rod to the other of said first and second gangs ofpulleys.

14. A utility outlet fixture comprising: an elongated track adapted tobe fixedly supported; a utility inlet located in spaced relation to saidtrack and adapted to be connected to at least one utility source; acarriage supported by said track for movement in opposite directions,conduit means connected at opposite ends respectively to said utilityinlet and to said carriage; and means for removing slack in said conduitmeans at any position of said carriage relative to said track, saidmeans for removing slack comprising means movable along said track forengaging slack in said conduit means and biasing means connected to saidmeans for engaging slack biasing said means for engaging slack and saidcarriage apart along said track; said biasing means comprising a firstwire connected at a first end to said carriage and at a second end tostructure adjacent a first end of said track, means connected betweenone end of said first wire and that to which said end of said wire isconnected for tensioning said first wire, a second wire connected at afirst end to said gang of pulleys and at a second end to structureadjacent a second end of said track, and means connected between one endof said second wire and that to which said end of said second wire isconnected for tensioning said second wire.

15. The fixture of claim 14 wherein the tensioning force on said gang ofpulleys is approximately twice the tensioning force on said carriage.

1. A utility outlet fixture comprising an elongated track adapted to befixedly supported, a utility inlet adapted to be supported in spacedrelation to said track and adapted to be connected to at least oneutility source, a carriage supported by said track for movement inopposite directions, conduit means connected at opposite endsrespectively to said utility inlet and to said carriage, and means forremoving slack in said conduit means at any position of said carriagerelative to said track, said means for removing slack comprising meansmovable along said track for engaging slack in said conduit means andbiasing means connected to said means for engaging slack biasing saidmeans for engaging slack and said carriage apart along said track. 2.The fixture of claim 1 wherein said means for engaging slack comprises apulley engaging slack in said conduit means and means supported by saidtrack for guiding said pulley for movement along said track.
 3. Thefixture of claim 1 wherein said conduit means comprises plural elongatedflexible conduits connected at opposite ends respectively to said inletand to said carriage.
 4. The fixture of claim 3 wherein said means forengaging slack comprises a gang of pulleys, each pulley engaging slackin one of said conduits, and means supported by said track for guidingsaid gang of pulleys for movement along said track between said carriageand an end of said track.
 5. The fixture of claim 4 wherein said biasingmeans biases said gang of pulleys and said carriage toward opposite endsof said track.
 6. A utility outlet fixture comprising: an elongatedtrack adapted to be fixedly supported; a utility inlet adapted to besupported in spaced relation to said track and adapted to be connectedto at least one utility source; a carriage supported by said track formovement in opposite directions; conduit means comprising pluralelongated flexible cOnduits connected at opposite ends respectively tosaid utility inlet and to said carriage; and means for removing slack insaid conduit means at any position of said carriage relative to saidtrack; said means for removing slack comprising a first pulley engagingslack in a first of said conduits, means supported by said track forguiding said first pulley for movement along said track between saidcarriage and one end of said track, a second pulley engaging slack in asecond of said conduits, means supported by said track for guiding saidsecond pulley for movement along said track between said carriage andanother end of said track, and biasing means connecting said pulleys forbiasing said pulleys apart along said track.
 7. The fixture of claim 6wherein said biasing means biases said first pulley toward the first endof said track and said second pulley toward the second end of saidtrack.
 8. The fixture of claim 7 wherein said biasing means comprises awire connected at a first end to said first pulley and at a second endto said second pulley, means supported adjacent the opposite ends ofsaid track for guiding said wire intermediate its ends, and meansconnected between one end of said wire and one of said first and secondpulleys for tensioning said wire.
 9. The fixture of claim 7 wherein saidbiasing means comprises an elongated rod, means for connecting one endof said rod to one of said first and second pulleys, and means forresiliently connecting the other end of said rod to the other of saidfirst and second pulleys.
 10. A utility outlet fixture comprising: anelongated track adapted to be fixedly supported; a utility inlet adaptedto be supported in spaced relation to said track and adapted to beconnected to at least one utility source; a carriage supported by saidtrack for movement in opposite directions; conduit means comprisingplural elongated flexible conduits connected at opposite endsrespectively to said utility inlet and to said carriage; and means forremoving slack in said conduit means at any position of said carriagerelative to said track; said means for removing slack comprising a firstgang of pulleys, each pulley engaging slack in one of said conduits,means supported by said track for guiding said first gang of pulleys formovement along said track between said carriage and one end of saidtrack, a second gang of pulleys, each pulley engaging slack in one ofsaid conduits, means supported by said track for guiding said secondgang of pulleys for movement along said track between said carriage andanother end of said track, and biasing means connecting said gangs ofpulleys for biasing said gangs of pulleys apart along said track. 11.The fixture of claim 10 wherein said biasing means biases said firstgang of pulleys toward the first end of the track and said second gangof pulleys toward the second end of said track.
 12. The fixture of claim10 wherein said biasing means comprises a wire connected at a first endto said first gang of pulleys and at a second end to said second gang ofpulleys, means supported adjacent the opposite ends of said track forguiding said wire intermediate its ends, and means connected between oneend of said wire and one of said first and second gangs of pulleys fortensioning said wire.
 13. The fixture of claim 10 wherein said biasingmeans comprises an elongated rod, means for connecting one end of saidrod to one of said first and second gangs of pulleys, and means forresiliently connecting the other end of said rod to the other of saidfirst and second gangs of pulleys.
 14. A utility outlet fixturecomprising: an elongated track adapted to be fixedly supported; autility inlet located in spaced relation to said track and adapted to beconnected to at least one utility source; a carriage supported by saidtrack for movement in opposite directions, conduit means connected atopposite ends respectively to said utility inlet and to said carriage;and means for removing slack in said conduit meAns at any position ofsaid carriage relative to said track, said means for removing slackcomprising means movable along said track for engaging slack in saidconduit means and biasing means connected to said means for engagingslack biasing said means for engaging slack and said carriage apartalong said track; said biasing means comprising a first wire connectedat a first end to said carriage and at a second end to structureadjacent a first end of said track, means connected between one end ofsaid first wire and that to which said end of said wire is connected fortensioning said first wire, a second wire connected at a first end tosaid gang of pulleys and at a second end to structure adjacent a secondend of said track, and means connected between one end of said secondwire and that to which said end of said second wire is connected fortensioning said second wire.
 15. The fixture of claim 14 wherein thetensioning force on said gang of pulleys is approximately twice thetensioning force on said carriage.